26: Silverstar's Journey

Chapter 26 - Confessions

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Transformers Prime or the franchise. All characters (except Riley/Silverstar) belong to Hasbro.

::Hello:: - Bumblebee Talking

"Hello" - Normal Talking

'Hello' - Thoughts

*Hello* - Cybertronian Talking

=Hello= - Over the phone or Comm

/Hello/ - Bond

—

(Reader's POV)

"You stole the Apex Armour?"

"And fought Starscream?!"

"I did! It was so cool! Until that Predacon showed up."

"But you fought Starscream?" Riley repeated her question in disbelief, sitting on the edge of the couch.

"He was all like 'Even the weakest armour can't protect the weakest of creatures'. And I was all like 'It protected you, didn't it?'."

"Badass, Miko." Jack raised his hand for a high five.

Riley looked back at Ultra Magnus who took the relic outside his ship. "Asides from all that, we got the Apex Armour back...that's really impressive how it was you, Miko."

"It was nothing." She waved her hand dismissively. "I only wish I could've beaten Screamer's grill more."

"I'm sure you left many dents in his armour." Riley was seriously cursing almost every Prime that Miko wasn't catching on. But could she blame her? This stuff wasn't normal.

'Maybe Miko won't feel the same, it's very likely.' Riley thought worryingly.

"Well, I'm gonna have another nap, possibly a proper rest now." Riley yawned, laying down on her side.

"So soon?" Jack asked.

"You try chasing that good for nothing Knockout for almost an hour then playing hide and go shriek with two adults. As their third wheel no less."

"My mom and Fowler aren't dating." Jack said for the millionth time sternly.

"Uh oh."

"What, Miko?" Riley asked, lifting her head slightly.

"Sounds like you and Doc knock are no longer besties."

Riley sighed, plopping her head down. "Why would I be? He destroyed the base, my home."

"The Decepticons did, I don't think you can blame all that on one guy." Jack sheepishly started defending Knockout.

"I can bet you, without seeing this myself, that Knockout was standing right beside Megatron when the base went-" Riley finished by making an explosion sound, taking her hands and slowly moving them apart in the air.

"Just drop it alright? I want some shut eye." Riley let her eyelids fall but felt something and opened them up again.

Without looking, she sighed and let her eyes close again. "What are you doing, Miko?" Riley asked tiredly.

"Your my pillow now, so be quiet. Pillows *yawn* don't talk."

Riley, wanting to fight against this, didn't even bother. Instead, her cheeks flushed into a deep red and she felt her lips tugging up. She would be lying if she said she didn't like this.

Miko was down and already snoring 5 minutes in. But Riley didn't mind, she could sleep through anything. Jack and Raf were also down shortly after.

She was about to enter dreamland when Ratchet and her dad's voice quietly spoke, peaking her interest.

"She's grown, Optimus. No longer the little girl or femme you once knew."

"I wish I could've been a better role model in her life. Either I was barley there or I rarely paid attention."

"She knows you mean well, don't fret about it. When all of this is over, you'll have all the time in the world."

There was a bit of silence after, which nearly made Riley get up to see why.

"Her and Miko are really close. I can only assume she told you as well."

"Indeed, and though Miko at times can be chaotic, it's exactly what Riley needs in her life. If none of us had Miko, it would be boring around here. Her and Wheeljack both, just loose canons and makers for disaster."

Riley laughed a bit but disguised it as a cough. She peaked her eyes open a bit, mostly to look at Miko to see if she was awake. But from previous sleepovers, she knew when Miko was practically dead.

'If she heard any of that, my plan would be ruined.' Riley thought before actually falling asleep.

(~The Next Day~)

"Hello Ultra Magnus, sir." Riley greeted, turning her head to gag at the 'sir' part. She respected Magnus but she hated saying sir everytime.

"Why aren't you with the others scouting the grids?"

"I'm dismantling this machinery so Ratchet can use it to speed up the process making for the Synthen."

Ultra Magnus thought it over before nodding. "Understood."

He then turned to Ratchet. "Doctor, what is the current status of your Synthetic Energon experiments?"

"Doing the best I can, Commander. Given the lack of functional equipment at my disposal." Ratchet replied, keeping his optics on his work.

"You do realize that an alternative energy source may be essential to our survival."

Ratchet stopped his work and sighed, before chuckling a bit. But not out of amusement. "Believe me, Ultra Magnus, no one is more acutely aware of the stakes than I am."

"Of course." Ultra Magnus understood before going to check up on the others. More of pester, but he didn't think that way.

Riley stopped her own task before blowing a raspberry at the commander. "You do realize that an alternative energy source-" she mimicked him in a prissy way. "-blah blah blah. You do realize there's a thing called respect and kindness, sir."

"He's very by the book, it's second nature of him to act that way." Docbot defended the commander.

Riley scoffed. "You shouldn't let him talk to you like that though. It's rude!"

"It's normal and expected." Ratchet replied like it was nothing.

"Yeah, in the military. This ain't Cybertron, I will gladly show him all of Earth so he gets that." She huffed, crossing his arms and watching him talk to the others.

"Beast Hunters, may I ask why you are not currently scouting Grid 305 for Predacon bones?"

Arcee answered, straightening her posture when speaking. "Because we just returned from surveying Grids 301 to 304."

Riley could see it in all of their optics, they were tired. All that searching and not one break? Work hard play hard, but chill!

Bulkhead quickly cleared his throat. "To log our field reports, per your protocol, Commander Magnus. Sir."

Before Magnus could respond with anything, Wheeljack came walking in.

"Solider, I don't recall giving you permission to leave the base." Riley was cringing, he needed to really chill!

"Because you didn't, sir." Wheeljack answered, rubbing at his servos and arms.

The commander noticed. "Why are your hands smeared with coolant?"

"I...recalibrated your ship's engines. You should expect a 10% increase in Vector Thrust." Wheeljack explained before showing off a smile.

Magnus went from stern to wide eyed.

Optimus returned at that very moment, getting everyone all happy and excited to see him. Like a child seeing their parent after a long day. Which was actually the case with Riley, but unlike everyone else, she kept doing what she was doing.

The Prime gave his report to the rest of the team. "Decepticon activity is at a low. I fear that Megatron may have collected the specimens he's requires to..." Optimus' had looked up and paused in his words.

When Riley looked at what he was looking at, it was Magnus standing from afar. It looked kind of sad.

"...clone his army." Optimus finished, locking optics only on his friend. Everyone was eventually dismissed, giving Optimus a chance to talk to Ultra Magnus.

Riley called up Miko, knowing bossy pants was distracted.

"Hey Mika-Chi. When are you coming to base?"

=Jack, Raf, and I are on our way now actually!=

"Ok sweet. When you come, I wanna talk in private."

=Is everything ok?=

"Of course, it's just something I want to talk about with you and you alone."

=Ok Ms Secret. See you soon!=

As the call ended, Riley put her phone down beside her and tuned into the conversation OP and UM were still having.

"The members of Team Prime are not cogs in a machine, they have grown into something greater than an army. They have become-"

"Optimus..." Ratchet suddenly called out, cutting off what he was about to say. "...our scanners have detected exposed energon."

Everyone looked to the leader, awaiting the next commands.

"With our reserves at a critical low, we cannot afford not to investigate." Optimus put his battle mask on, getting everyone but Ratchet and Riley to join him.

Riley only stayed in case of backup, she had other things to do. She knew that energon and their survival was more important, but so was this chance she may or may never get again.

She was feeling it now, she was confident now. Time to get it over with and put it out there, no more time to hide.

"Heyyyyy!" Miko shouted, waving her arm wildly.

Riley suddenly felt everything suddenly leave her body.

"I'm not ready." Riley muttered. Ratchet heard her and stared before piecing two and two together.

Jack went to play video games while Raf took his task as tech support for the Team. Miko walked up to Riley, wondering what she wanted to talk about.

Riley's voice started cracking. "Follow me."

She led them both to Fowler's office first to grab something. "Close your eyes, Miko."

"Ok." Miko shrugged, closing her eyes. Riley already Miko was peeking so she used her own hand to block the girl's view.

Grabbing the item, she led Miko away and outside the Hangar.

"Ok, open your eyes."

When Miko did, she was pretty shocked but happy. Riley talked with Fowler recently and managed to acquire a guitar.

"I know it's not electric or like your old one, but it's still something to play...right?"

Miko nodded. "As long as it annoys Ratchet, I'm cool with anything."

"I got another surprise."

Riley held the guitar and started playing it. Eventually strumming individual strings and forming a tune. It sounded and looked complex, which puzzled even Miko herself. How did she learn to play guitar?!

"Wha..."

"One of my courses were music, and I picked Guitar. Didn't want to tell you, so one day, I could surprise you. And it was worth it, the look on your face is priceless." Riley started laughing hysterically.

"DUDE! If I had known...the possibilities."

"Well, to make up for it...I guess I could play you a song. And you may know this one."

The two sat down as Riley began, with Miko listening closely. After a few seconds, Riley began with the lyrics. Miko knew the song instantly but said nothing, only embracing the music.

Once it was over, Riley was red and silent but Miko was in aw.

"I didn't know a Smash Monkey song could be played so softly. And it's my favourite too! I actually prefer your version."

Riley smiled a bit. "Aw, don't be embarrassed. That was amazing! Your a total rockstar!" Miko assured her.

"Miko?"

"What's up?"

"I...need to tell you something. Because I don't know when I'll be able to and things are getting tense again, and we may not be lucky. Everyone's been on edge and-"

Miko cut her off before it became a long rambling session. "Just say it, spit it out."

Riley took a sharp inhale, visibly sweating now. 'Why is this so hard?!' She wondered.

The spunky girl told Riley, through her eyes, to just say what she wanted to say.

"Miko...IHaveACrushOnYou." Riley spat out quickly and jumbled.

"What?" Miko asked laughing. "What was that? I only caught my name and 'you'."

"I have a..."Riley whispered the next part. "...crush on you."

Miko rolled her eyes before asking Riley to repeat one more time.

"I have a crush." Riley told her. She immediately began slapping herself internally for not saying the whole thing.

"On who~? I bet it's Smokey, you two got something going on, I can feel it!"

"Nope." Riley denied quickly but amused.

"Then describe them!" Miko urged, shaking Riley.

"Well, they are crazy, fun, hilarious, and you're never bored for a second when they're around."

"Don't be embarrassed, say who it is."

"...Yogurt Over Uranus."

Riley was about to kill her inner self for being so insecure and secretive. Or just herself in general for being so oblique.

But Miko got exactly what she meant, and Riley felt the whole atmosphere change at that very second.

"Me?" Miko asked.

"It's stupid, I know. Human feelings, so confusing, right?" She laughed nervously. "It's probably a phase, I just wasn't sure. Cause that's a big thing, and it ruins friendships. And now I'm rambling, cause I'm nervous and your giving me a look. Why are you giving me a look?"

Miko shook out of her own thoughts. "I was giving a look?"

Riley nodded her head roughly from all the stress.

"Oops, I guess? But I was not expecting that..."

"This was a bad idea, I knew it. I'm so sorry, now it's weird between us. I shouldn't have said anything. I'm so stupid, the one time I open up about something, it goes wrong, just like I fear." Riley brought her legs to her chest and buried her face.

Miko, like she had said, didn't expect such a thing. She wasn't sure how to feel. Nothing negative but she wasn't sure how to react, and now she definitely didn't know how to react.

"Uh, Riley. You're not stupid and you wanted to get it out, right?"

"You don't have to lie to me, Miko. We're besties, we don't lie. I don't even know if we're that anymore!"

"Hey, stop making it seem worse because nothing has changed. Ok? You're still my bestie, that will never change." Miko wrapped her arms around her friend, who still hid her face.

The two sat like that for a while, not saying anything or moving. Eventually, the two just slipped into sleep land.

(~Dreamland~)

"Woah, this is new." Silverstar looked down at her servos, then the rest of her body. It was all ghostly and see through.

She was on Cybertron, but not like she's ever seen it before. There were tall, glimmering buildings everywhere. Ships were flying across the sky, everywhere was bustling with Cybertronians, the Hall of Records could be seen in the distance, and Silverstar currently stood between several shops.

"Just go for it Orion, nothing will move forward if you don't try." Ratchet's voice suddenly said.

Silverstar looked in front of her to see two younger versions of mechs she knew all to well.

"What if she says-"

"Don't start with that talk, just go." Ratchet pushed Orion forward, putting his servos on his hips.

The young archivist looked back at Ratchet, who waved his servo for him to go already. Orion closed his optics for a second before walking towards someone.

Silverstar turned around as Orion walked past her.

"Greetings, Ariel."

A young femme turned around. "Orion! It's so good to see you again. How's your job been?"

"Same old. Alpha Trion goes on and on about things."

Ariel just shrugged. "Guess it comes with old age."

They laughed a little before Orion looked away, his faceplates heating up slightly.

"You ok there? You look a little off." Orion nodded before almost blurting the next out.

"Ariel, I won't lie here. I've had my optics on you recently, and we have already formed a friendship, but I was gonna ask if you'd like to go out some solar cycle."

Ariel's optics widened, her cheeks fading into blue.

"You must be embarrassed, I'm terribly sorry. We can forget that happened and-" Ariel put a digit over his mouth.

"You didn't let me answer." She lowered her servo, making sure Orion wasn't going to ramble into another panic.

"Yes." She answered.

"Yes?"

She started beaming from happiness. "I would love to, Orion Pax."

"Uh...w-when would you like to go?"

"Maccadam's just down the street, we could hop in there for a quick high grade."

"Sounds good." As Orion put an arm around Ariel, he looked behind him at Ratchet.

'Thank you' he mouthed. Ratchet chuckled, giving a thumbs up. Who knew Docbot was a good wingman!

"Awwwww, that was so adorable!" Silverstar freaked out in cuteness.

She watched as Ratchet got a comm from his workplace, and left to go deal with it. Then she started following the two bots, who were trying to stare at the other but looking away when they made optic contact.

When they entered the bar, they had a grand time. They drank, they talked, they spilt secrets, and had gotten to the equivalency of drunk.

Silver watched and listened the whole time, learning so much while also viewing her surroundings. Seeing Cybertron, not a total wreck, was nice.

The bar was pretty empty at first, only the lovebirds and another couple. Two femmes, one looked like seeker while the other had fox like features. That was certainly new, Silver didn't know Cybertronians could have animal like features. Especially ones that bore a striking resemblance to Earth's creatures long before the planet was a thing.

Now it was jammed pack with a bunch of bots, all of them drinking and partying like no tomorrow.

All Silverstar knew was the Cybertronians being at war. Remembering at some point that they weren't always at constant battle, or that they acted similarly to humans, weirded her out. She wasn't used to that at all.

The TV suddenly switched to a broadcasted message, showing a particular mech everyone knew. But the thing was, his message was noble and respectable. Everyone cheered at the end, chanting his name like he was a saviour.

"Wasn't that your gladiator buddy?" Drunken Ariel asked Orion.

"Yeah, him and I are making history! Woo!"

"Oh I need to get Optimus drunk back at home." Silverstar noted to herself.

"To making history!" Ariel raised a glass in the air.

"Freedom for all!" Orion stood up and shouted. "Megatron!"

(~Reality~)

Riley slowly opened her eyes, seeing the sky now coloured in orange, blue, yellow, and shades of purple.

Miko was still asleep, curled up on the ground with her head leaned against Riley.

"I should've let you answer. But I was being too much of a wreck. That's supposed to be your job." Sighing, she carefully got up before draping Miko's lifeless arm around her shoulder.

She kept one arm around Miko and the other to grab the guitar.

Miko herself was still sleeping, or Riley thought so. The girl was half awake now, but wanted to see where this went.

Riley brought Miko inside and laid her down on the couch. She put the guitar down carefully before she sat in the empty space and leaned back.

Miko turned her whole body around so her head rested on Riley's legs.

"You're still my pillow."

Riley laughed a bit before sighing. "So uh, what's your answer?"

"I'm cool with it, but for how I feel...that's for you to wait and see~."

"Of course you'd say that, Miko."

Miko smiled a little. "Well, I should've expected those words from you Ry'. Everybody loves me, even Ratchet."

"Oh ha ha. Just, don't tell anyone. Please?"

"Hmmm, I dunno. You know how big my mouth is."

"Mikooo." Riley warned.

"Rileyyy." Miko mocked back.

"I'm done talking to you, I'm getting no where." Riley leaned all the way back, letting her head rest upside down.

"Well how can you get anywhere with my head on top of you?"

"Your head isn't heavy, it's full of nothing."

Miko fake gasped. "Rude!"

"Sorry you can't handle the truth." Riley brought her head forward, smugly smiling at Miko.

"You sure your crushin' on me?"

"Ugh, when you say it like that, it sounds even more stupid and weird."

"You brought this on yourself."

(~Time Skip~)

When everyone arrived at the energon signature, they had found the Predacons Shockwave was working on.

Well, Ultra Magnus and Wheeljack did. After they blew the joint up, Predaking stood in their way of escaping the mine.

Yes, Predaking. The Predacon they all faced could transform and had a name.

He was pretty pissed about his 'Brethren' being blown up so he fought the commander and wrecker. He ended up on top, even snapping the Forge of Solus Prime in half.

Unfortunately for Magnus, his right servo was purposely stepped on and it was gone. Flattened to a pancake and came off clean.

Optimus saved the two and barley escaped Predaking himself. Both were in rough condition but Ratchet, being the miracle worker he was, patched them up no problem.

But for now, all he could do for Ultra Magnus' servo was weld the wound shut. So now, the commander was one appendage short.

Riley ended up feeling bad for the guy, but didn't forgive his strict behaviour. Though she knew he would get it and change, but when was what she wanted to know.

Wheeljack was still conscious, resting on a nearby crate. Magnus was resting on the medical berth, that was propped up on an angle, unlike the last.

When his optics started to open, he was first met by Optimus with Riley sitting on the Prime's shoulder.

Ratchet was just finishing up with the wound when the commander looked over. Ultra Magnus raised his arm weakly, staring at the damage.

"Ratchet will take good care of you." Optimus told him.

"And if you need anything, we've got you." Riley offered with a smile.

She didn't like him, but she still respected him, as previously mentioned. No reason not to show kindness, especially now.

Wheeljack added a good word in. "Magnus fought like a wrecker."

"Optimus, when we spoke earlier, what could be greater than an army?" Magnus asked.

"A concept I have recently been reminded of, one that I didn't know could apply to a team such as ours...family."

Magnus looked around, grasping the meaning Optimus was sending out.

Riley looked around as well, at the bots who meant everything to her. Knowing they all felt the same.

Later that night, Ultra Magnus got rest while Wheeljack was stubborn and said he could 'suck it up'.

Miko had suggested a small activity for everyone to play but Ratchet and Riley counted themselves out. Docbot had a servo to make and needed...a hand.

I am not sorry for that pun.

The real reason Riley was sitting out was because she wanted to finish doing her task of taking apart the tech.

The game the remaining people were playing, was a confession game. Riley listened in on each bot and human.

Until it reached Miko. Who confessed she had a thing for someone in the room. Her and Riley made eye contact but broke it quickly when the others tried figuring out who.

"Can I have a turn?" Riley called out, giving Miko a chance to breath.

Smokey gave the go ahead and she cleared her throat. "I confess this, not for myself, but for my lovely father."

"We can do that?" Wheeljack asked. Miko nodded, staring no official rules were in place to prevent that.

"I confess that I witnessed Orion Pax get drunk at a bar with a femme, then admit to her that he not only doesn't trust Mini cons, but he's afraid of them too. Apparently, he literally ran home one day because a Mini con looked at him. Looked!"

Everyone took a second of silence before absolutely losing it.

"That...that is not true. How do you even know anything of what you just said?" Optimus asked cool and collected but smiling a bit awkwardly.

"Sorry, but I must get back to my work. Carry on!" Riley quickly turned around, pretending to work as she actually snickered.

The game got out of hand after that, as everyone started confessing for each other, bringing out the real juicy stuff. Even stuff about the people not playing got out, provoking them to enter and start spilling the information they held.

Let's just say...the game was banned. Because a second war nearly broke out between everyone who was involved.

—

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